1. Measurement & Tools of Science
(Chapter 1)

2. Student Learning Objectives
Differentiate between science and non-science
Apply the scientific method
Develop some tools for interpreting data.

3. These Practice Problems are presented in class
What is science?
Science is not simply a collection of facts, but rather an objective process of quantifying what we observe.
The outcomes of science are laws and theories which can be used to predict results.
Science uses measurement and an objective method to characterize observed attributes of the physical world.
These Practice Problems are presented in class

4. How is science done?
Science is a process of experimentation with verifiable measurements.
Each scientist must be able to obtain the same results.
Scientific Method-general methods of observations, rules for reasoning, and making predictions

5. Scientific Method Observations & Measurements Hypothesis Experiments
Theory
Law

6. The Senses Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch
Sight and Hearing provide the most information to our brains about our environment.
Sensory Limitations – can be reduced by using measuring devices
Instruments extend our ability to measure and learn about our environment.
Our senses can also be deceived ->
Section 1.3

7. Some Optical Illusions
Lines “a” and “b” are equal in length!
Section 1.3

8. Optical Illusions
The lines are all horizontal!
Section 1.3

9. Some Optical Illusions
Section 1.3

10. Some Optical Illusions
Section 1.3

11. Practice
These Practice Problems are presented in class

12. What is the measurement system used in science?
Measurements are an objective tool.
Standard units in science utilize the metric system.
Length: meter(m)
Mass: kilogram(kg)
Time: second(s)
Prefixes in the metric system equal different units of ten.
Why the metric system matters - Matt Anticole

13. Each factor of ten difference results in a single move of the decimal.
Unit
Multiple
Conversions
kilometer
1 km = 103 m
1 km = 1000 m
centimeter
1 cm = 10−2 m
100 cm = 1 m
millimeter
1 mm = 10−3 m
1000 mm = 1 m
micron
1 mm = 10−6 m
1,000,000 mm = 1 m
nanometer
1 nm = 10−9 m
Each factor of ten difference results in a single move of the decimal.

14. 3 Dimensions
Three measurements are used to define an object's size in three dimensional space (x, y, z).
Length: 1 measurement in one dimension
Area: 2 measurements in two different dimensions
Volume: 3 measurements in the three different dimensions
Length
Area
Volume

15. Why are units and equations important in science?
Units are the description of what was measured.
Example: 60
Conversion factors can be used to change common units to scientific units.
Common Measurement
Metric Conversion
mile
1 mile = 1609 meters = km
inch
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
pound
pound = 1 Newton

16. Practice
These Practice Problems are presented in class

17. Equations show how quantities are related.
F = ma
Measurements and equations describe the universe objectively (quantitatively).
Example: Size of a desk

18. What do graphs show? Linear Quadratic Inverse Square
Graphs show how data is related and indicate a mathematical formula, the equation.
Linear
Quadratic
Inverse Square

19. Practice
These Practice Problems are presented in class